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Veterinary Medicine and Science Mar 2024The health, growth and fertility of avian species can be negatively affected by parasite infection. This survey assesses the presence, variety and distribution of...
The health, growth and fertility of avian species can be negatively affected by parasite infection. This survey assesses the presence, variety and distribution of internal and external parasites among parrots and perching birds in Mashhad, Iran. This study examined 751 caged pet birds from different species and regions in Mashhad for faecal samples and 132 oral swabs for digestive tract parasites. Furthermore, skin scrapings were conducted on 14 canaries displaying dishevelled feathers. During the study, mortalities and moribund birds that had been referred underwent necropsies to examine internal parasites. Following the formol ether faecal examination, only one Malango parrot tested positive for Heterakoidea eggs among 751 faecal samples (0.13%). Further, one cockatiel showed evidence of parasitic infection with Eimeria spp. (0.13%). However, neither Cryptosporidium nor Giardia protozoa were detected in the samples (0%). Oral swabs revealed no evidence of Trichomonas (0%). On the other hand, skin scraping revealed the presence of the mite Dermanyssus in 7 out of 14 canaries with dishevelled feathers (50%). Of 25 moribund and weak budgerigars, 2 were infected with Acuaria in their proventriculus (8%). In addition, 3 out of 14 deceased myna birds carried the nematode Diplotriana in their coelomic cavities (21.42%). In conclusion, the rate of internal parasites has been relatively low in ornamental birds of Mashhad, whereas the prevalence of external parasites has been higher.
Topics: Animals; Passeriformes; Cryptosporidiosis; Iran; Cryptosporidium; Parrots; Canaries
PubMed: 38358077
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1372 -
Journal of Animal Science and... Feb 2024The gut microbiota influences chicken health, welfare, and productivity. A diverse and balanced microbiota has been associated with improved growth, efficient feed...
BACKGROUND
The gut microbiota influences chicken health, welfare, and productivity. A diverse and balanced microbiota has been associated with improved growth, efficient feed utilisation, a well-developed immune system, disease resistance, and stress tolerance in chickens. Previous studies on chicken gut microbiota have predominantly focused on broiler chickens and have usually been limited to one or two sections of the digestive system, under controlled research environments, and often sampled at a single time point. To extend these studies, this investigation examined the microbiota of commercially raised layer chickens across all major gut sections of the digestive system and with regular sampling from rearing to the end of production at 80 weeks. The aim was to build a detailed picture of microbiota development across the entire digestive system of layer chickens and study spatial and temporal dynamics.
RESULTS
The taxonomic composition of gut microbiota differed significantly between birds in the rearing and production stages, indicating a shift after laying onset. Similar microbiota compositions were observed between proventriculus and gizzard, as well as between jejunum and ileum, likely due to their anatomical proximity. Lactobacillus dominated the upper gut in pullets and the lower gut in older birds. The oesophagus had a high proportion of Proteobacteria, including opportunistic pathogens such as Gallibacterium. Relative abundance of Gallibacterium increased after peak production in multiple gut sections. Aeriscardovia was enriched in the late-lay phase compared to younger birds in multiple gut sections. Age influenced microbial richness and diversity in different organs. The upper gut showed decreased diversity over time, possibly influenced by dietary changes, while the lower gut, specifically cecum and colon, displayed increased richness as birds matured. However, age-related changes were inconsistent across all organs, suggesting the influence of organ-specific factors in microbiota maturation.
CONCLUSION
Addressing a gap in previous research, this study explored the microbiota across all major gut sections and tracked their dynamics from rearing to the end of the production cycle in commercially raised layer chickens. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of microbiota structure and development which help to develop targeted strategies to optimise gut health and overall productivity in poultry production.
PubMed: 38317171
DOI: 10.1186/s40104-023-00979-1 -
Archives of Razi Institute Aug 2023Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a serious threat to the international poultry industry. Therefore, to determine the role of pet birds (Psittaciformes and Passeriformes)...
Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a serious threat to the international poultry industry. Therefore, to determine the role of pet birds (Psittaciformes and Passeriformes) in its spread and epidemiology, the presence of this virus in these birds was investigated. In this study, fecal and cloaca swabs from 63 Psittaciformes and 37 Passeriformes, along with tissue samples of dead birds, including proventriculus, trachea, lungs, and intestine, were collected from breeding and sales markets as well as the birds referred to Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran. Isolation of the virus was performed by injecting the suspension of the samples into the allantoic fluid of fertilized eggs, and NDV was detected in the achieved allantoic fluids by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The NDV was detected in 13 allantoic samples. The partial F gene sequences of 10 positive samples were investigated, and their genetic relationship with each other as well as with other isolates in the gene bank was marked. Consequently, subgenotype VII.1.1 (VIId) was in the locus of all 10 viruses. By the amino acid cleavage site sequences of F protein, 10 isolates were determined as velogenic NDV. Moreover, all sequences were similar to each other and other Iranian isolates. Furthermore, the 112RRQKR/F117 pattern was the main amino acid (aa) sequence in the F-protein Cleavage site for VIId genotype isolates.
Topics: Animals; Newcastle disease virus; Iran; Newcastle Disease; Birds; Amino Acids
PubMed: 38226374
DOI: 10.32592/ARI.2023.78.4.1259 -
Poultry Science Mar 2024The present study investigated the influence of exposing quail eggs to low-dose gamma radiation (GR) and in ovo feeding with 2 sources of a mixture of trace elements...
The present study investigated the influence of exposing quail eggs to low-dose gamma radiation (GR) and in ovo feeding with 2 sources of a mixture of trace elements (Zn, Fe, and Cu), including sulfate (TES) and loaded with montmorillonite (TEM), on embryonic development activities and prehatch quality. A total of 960 eggs on the seventh day of incubation were randomly divided into 6 groups (160 eggs/group) with 4 replicate of 40 eggs in each. A 3 × 2 factorial arrangement experiment was performed and included 3 sources in ovo feeding with a mixture of trace elements (Zn, Fe, and Cu), including 0 mg/egg, 50 mg TES/egg, and 50 mg TEM/egg with egg irradiation using 0 and 0.2 Gy from GR. Eggs injected with 50 mg TEM/egg and exposed to 0.2 Gy from GR (TEM/GR) was significantly (P ≤ 0.05 and 0.01) higher in hatchability, hatch body weight, and relative organ weight (liver, gizzard, proventriculus, heart, and intestine). The obtained results indicated significant (P ≤ 0.05) decreased in the serum concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in TEM/GR group. There was significant (P ≤ 0.05) increased of catalase (CAT) activity and the concentrations of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in TEM/GR group; however; total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was significant (P ≤ 0.05) increased in CT/GR group. Serum concentrations of immunoglobulin M (IgM) (P ≤ 0.05) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were increased in the TEM/CR group; the concentration of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) significant (P ≤ 0.05) increased in the TEM/GR group; and interleukins (IL6 and IL10) showed no significant differences among the groups. Our results showed increase in thyroxine and myostatin concentrations with TES/CR and CT/GR of our study groups, respectively. The relative mRNA expression levels of the GH, IGF-1, and Fas cell surface death receptor (FAS) genes were significantly (P ≤ 0.05 and 0.01) upregulated in the liver tissue of the TEM/GR group compared with the other groups. In conclusion, TEM/GR was the best treatment for improving prehatch quality, increasing serum antioxidant enzyme activities, and promoting the expression of growth and immune genes in fertilized quail eggs.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Chickens; Coturnix; Embryonic Development; Gamma Rays; Growth Hormone; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Ovum; Quail; Trace Elements
PubMed: 38198914
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103364 -
Tropical Animal Health and Production Jan 2024This study investigated ameliorative effects of dietary oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) spent substrate (OMSS) in broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with...
Low dietary oyster mushroom spent substrate limitedly ameliorates detrimental effects of feeding combined marula seed cake and mucuna seed meal as soya bean replacements in broiler chickens.
This study investigated ameliorative effects of dietary oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) spent substrate (OMSS) in broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with combined marula seed cake (MSC) and mucuna seed meal (MSM) replacing soya bean meal (SBM). In a completely randomised design (CRD), 400 day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated to 5 iso-nitrogenous-energetic diets (control with 100% SBM, control with 60% MSC and 40% MSM replacing SBM (MSC + MSM), MSC + MSM with 1.25% OMSS, MSC + MSM with 2.5% OMSS, and MSC + MSM with 5% OMSS) each with 8 replicate pens of 10 during starter, grower and finisher phases. Dietary MSC + MSM decreased (P < 0.001) feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), and feed conversion efficiency (FCE); slaughter weight, hot carcass weight (HCW), cold carcass weight (CCW), breast weight, and back lengths (P < 0.001); serum SDMA and alanine transaminase (P < 0.05). In contrast, it increased the weights of the thigh (P < 0.001), wing (P < 0.01), liver (P < 0.001), proventriculus (P < 0.001), gizzard (P < 0.001), duodenum (P < 0.001), jejunum (P < 0.001), ileum (P < 0.001), and caecum (P < 0.01) and serum alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05) and cholesterol (P < 0.01). Further, it increased meat redness and decreased its hue angle at 45 min post-slaughter (P < 0.01) whilst it decreased its pH (P < 0.01) and increased its shear force (P < 0.05) at 24 h post-slaughter. Compared to higher levels, low (1.25%) dietary OMSS improved, though limitedly, FI, BWG, and FCE at grower and finisher phases only (P < 0.001) whilst it reversed MSC plus MSM-induced deleterious effects on slaughter weight, HCW, and CCW (P < 0.001) and increases in gizzard weight (P < 0.001) and meat shear force at 24 h post-slaughter (P < 0.05). Otherwise, OMSS generally decreased (P < 0.05) serum SDMA and alanine transaminase whilst it abrogated and augmented increases in serum alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05) and cholesterol (P < 0.01), respectively, and reversed the increase and decrease in meat redness (P < 0.01) and hue angle (P < 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, dietary replacement of SBM with combined MSC plus MSM induced deleterious effects in broiler chickens that were limitedly abrogated by low (1.25%) inclusion level of OMSS.
Topics: Animals; Chickens; Pleurotus; Mucuna; Alanine Transaminase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Diet; Seeds; Glycine max; Anacardiaceae; Cholesterol
PubMed: 38194011
DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03878-9 -
Parasites & Vectors Jan 2024In tropical Africa animal trypanosomiasis is a disease that has severe impacts on the health and productivity of livestock in tsetse fly-infested regions. Trypanosoma...
BACKGROUND
In tropical Africa animal trypanosomiasis is a disease that has severe impacts on the health and productivity of livestock in tsetse fly-infested regions. Trypanosoma congolense savannah (TCS) is one of the main causative agents and is widely distributed across the sub-Saharan tsetse belt. Population genetics analysis has shown that TCS is genetically heterogeneous and there is evidence for genetic exchange, but to date Trypanosoma brucei is the only tsetse-transmitted trypanosome with experimentally proven capability to undergo sexual reproduction, with meiosis and production of haploid gametes. In T. brucei sex occurs in the fly salivary glands, so by analogy, sex in TCS should occur in the proboscis, where the corresponding portion of the developmental cycle takes place. Here we test this prediction using genetically modified red and green fluorescent clones of TCS.
METHODS
Three fly-transmissible strains of TCS were transfected with genes for red or green fluorescent protein, linked to a gene for resistance to the antibiotic hygromycin, and experimental crosses were set up by co-transmitting red and green fluorescent lines in different combinations via tsetse flies, Glossina pallidipes. To test whether sex occurred in vitro, co-cultures of attached epimastigotes of one red and one green fluorescent TCS strain were set up and sampled at intervals for 28 days.
RESULTS
All interclonal crosses of genetically modified trypanosomes produced hybrids containing both red and green fluorescent proteins, but yellow fluorescent hybrids were only present among trypanosomes from the fly proboscis, not from the midgut or proventriculus. It was not possible to identify the precise life cycle stage that undergoes mating, but it is probably attached epimastigotes in the food canal of the proboscis. Yellow hybrids were seen as early as 14 days post-infection. One intraclonal cross in tsetse and in vitro co-cultures of epimastigotes also produced yellow hybrids in small numbers. The hybrid nature of the yellow fluorescent trypanosomes observed was not confirmed by genetic analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite absence of genetic characterisation of hybrid trypanosomes, the fact that these were produced only in the proboscis and in several independent crosses suggests that they are products of mating rather than cell fusion. The three-way strain compatibility observed is similar to that demonstrated previously for T. brucei, indicating that a simple two mating type system does not apply for either trypanosome species.
Topics: Animals; Tsetse Flies; Trypanosoma congolense; Livestock; Trypanosomiasis, African; Meiosis; Gastrointestinal Tract; Crosses, Genetic
PubMed: 38178172
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06105-4 -
Veterinarni Medicina Nov 2023Marek's disease (MD) is a huge problem for researchers due to the significant losses in bird flocks, but more importantly, the virus's mutagenic potential. The...
Marek's disease (MD) is a huge problem for researchers due to the significant losses in bird flocks, but more importantly, the virus's mutagenic potential. The purpose of this study was to describe non-classical gross lesions observed in broilers and laying hens that suggest the disease emergence and re-emergence. The survey was conducted on 10 broiler and 4 laying hen flocks. All of the dead birds were necropsied in order to obtain a comprehensive diagnosis of lesions, analysing both macroscopic and microscopic alterations. Marek's disease occurred in 80% of cases in broilers and 100% of cases in layer hens. The disease struck 26-day-old broilers and hens at 2 weeks of age, causing a total mortality of 6% and 15%, respectively. There were no clinical indications of the classical neurological form of the disease in either rearing type, and tumour lesions were mostly detected in the liver, spleen, and ovarian follicles in layers, and in the proventriculus in broilers. These findings demonstrated that MD is widespread and that its resurgence is primarily manifested in visceral rather than neurological manifestations. Despite MD immunization, biosecurity remains critical.
PubMed: 38163046
DOI: 10.17221/75/2023-VETMED -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Dec 2023Although the use of incision-free endoscopy for foreign body (FB) removal in dogs and cats has been extensively documented, its application in birds remains limited....
Although the use of incision-free endoscopy for foreign body (FB) removal in dogs and cats has been extensively documented, its application in birds remains limited. Thus, we present the endoscopic removal of gastrointestinal (GI) FBs from psittacine birds, employing different patient positioning and anesthesia methods. Two blue-and-yellow macaws () and a Triton cockatoo () were examined. X-ray imaging revealed FBs situated in the proventriculus in each case. The FBs, all identified as feeding tubes, were safely removed using grasping forceps during the endoscopic procedure, and no severe complications occurred. Based on the outcomes of each operation, the most suitable patient position may be ventral recumbency rather than dorsal recumbency, with the use of a mask or endotracheal intubation, depending on the anticipated operation time. However, a larger number of cases would be necessary to confirm the optimal patient positioning and anesthesia method.
PubMed: 38136876
DOI: 10.3390/ani13243839 -
Journal of Comparative Pathology Jan 2024An adult sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) was unexpectedly found dead and was presented for post-mortem examination. Macroscopically, the proventricular wall...
An adult sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) was unexpectedly found dead and was presented for post-mortem examination. Macroscopically, the proventricular wall was expanded by an infiltrative off-white mass, 10 mm in diameter, with secondary mucosal ulceration. Cytological examination of impression smears revealed a neoplastic epithelial cell population forming occasional well-defined acini with secretory product. Histologically, the neoplastic cells were predominantly arranged in acini and tubules, with fewer in small clusters, supported by a desmoplastic stroma. Neoplastic cells were polygonal, with mostly well-demarcated cell boundaries and a moderate amount of eosinophilic cytoplasm that was multifocally markedly distended by more intensely eosinophilic material. There was an increased nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio with moderately sized to large nuclei (approximately 15 μm diameter) with lightly to densely stippled chromatin and single or paired prominent basophilic nucleoli. The mitotic count was 19 in 10 high-power fields (2.37 mm), with scattered bizarre mitotic figures and atypia including moderate anisocytosis and anisokaryosis and moderate cellular and nuclear pleomorphism. There was frequent intratubular brightly eosinophilic proteinaceous material, which was Alcian blue and periodic acid‒Schiff positive. Proventricular lymphovascular invasion was detected, with metastases within the ventriculus and lungs. The macroscopic, cytological and histological appearance of the neoplasm was consistent with a proventricular adenocarcinoma.
Topics: Animals; Cockatoos; Adenocarcinoma
PubMed: 38101282
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2023.11.004 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Nov 2023The application of corn bran (CB) to laying ducks via iso-energy and iso-nitrogen diets is rarely reported. Six hundred laying ducks (49 weeks) were equally assigned to...
The application of corn bran (CB) to laying ducks via iso-energy and iso-nitrogen diets is rarely reported. Six hundred laying ducks (49 weeks) were equally assigned to five treatments: the control group with 0% CB and the other four groups with 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12% CB. The experiment lasted for 11 weeks. With the increase in CB, the relative weight of the proventriculus, gizzard, and ileum and the content and proportion of butyric acid in the cecal digesta were quadratically changed ( < 0.05), and the highest value was observed in the 12% CB group. Compared with the control, the 12% CB group showed decreased Deferribacteres, Spirochaetota, and Fusobacteriota at the phyla level and showed increased and decreased and at the genus level ( < 0.10); the 12% CB group also showed 46 different metabolites, which are related to and ( < 0.05). The 12% CB group showed increased ( < 0.05) albumen height at week 8 and yolk color at weeks 4 and 8 compared with the control. Overall, dietary inclusion of 3% to 12% CB is a possible feeding strategy for laying ducks under iso-energy and iso-nitrogen conditions, and the 12% CB group was more effective.
PubMed: 38067067
DOI: 10.3390/ani13233716